Locking device



Mari 2o, 1923. 1,448,953;

L.v c. cREsclo.

LOCKING DEVICE.

FILED simu, 192x.

20' f ly 5gg,-

Patented ii/liar. Z0, i923..

nutren FIN site

LOUIS o. onnsoo, or NEW YORK, it. Y., Assis-Non or cnn-nenn ro Louis rannnrns'rn,

or new fron-ii, N. Y.

n LOCKING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that li, Louis C. Cnnsoio, a citizen of the United States, and resident of 7 Sixth Ave., New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices, of which the fol` lowing is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to frictional locking devices in general, and particularly to the kind adaptable to micrometer spindles, or spindles of other tine measuring instruments.

The prime object of my invention is to provide a device of this kind whereby the operationof the spindle may not be impaired in any way or manner by the locking thereof.

Another object of my invention is to pro-` vide a device which will, without impairing the operation of the spindle, positively lock the same uniformly at all points of the entirelocking surface of my device.

A further ob]- ect of my invention is to provide a positive locking device adapted to uniformly, concentrically, and simultaneously lock an annular object against turning at all points of the surface of the device coming in contact with the object to be locked.

A further object of my invention is to provide in connection with `such locking means, a dust proofing devicey or devices adapted to prevent foreign matter from entering not only the locking device, but also from coming in contact with the object to be clamped. y

I am aware of the existence of various locking devices, adapted to accomplish similar results. All of them, however', have the disadvantage of engaging the object to be locked with only a small portion of their surfaces, and not uniformly at all points of their contacting faces.

There are other locking devices for locking the spindle, for instance, of a micrometer caliper, which engage the latter through an eccentric movement. There are still other locking devices of different construction designed for the similar purpose. None of them, however, accomplish the improved results I derive from the peculiar construction of the elements involved in the present invention.

ln describing the general principle of my ary and a movable or closing member, said members conically inter-engaged with each other, the stationary or friction member being of a general conical shape and provided with longitudinal incisions alternately opened at one face and closed at the other face of the frictionmember. It is immaterial whether these incisions are made strictly longitudinally or in an oblique fashion or cut on a helix; the principal object being to partially split the friction member from both ends, while leaving it completely united.

l/Vhen now the internally cone shaped closing member moves upon the cone of the friction member, it causes the latter to either uniformly contract or expand, depending whether the members move-so to. speaktoward or from each other.

Due to this peculiar construction, the frictional engagement, between the friction member and the object to be loclred against movement of the latter, is uniform overA the entire contact surface between the friction member and the object, thereby becoming absolutely positive.

Moreover, the rriction member does not in any way inyure the clamped object, and it does not throw the same out of its original alinement, which is of vital importance particularly in connection with the shaft of a` micrometer caliper, or other very fine meas- 5 uring instruments. i

ln order to better understand my invention and its further objects involved, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, i forming part of this specification, in which ,f

Fig. l represents a preferred form of my locking `device in longitudinal cross section.

Figs. 2, 3, and t are similar views of a few of the many possible modifications.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one preferred form of my conical member.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modiiied form thereof.

Figs. 7 and 8 are other modified forms of my conical friction member, correspondingwith the illustrations in Figs. 2 and 3, re-` spectively.

Fig. 9 represents a preferred form of a closing cap of my dust proofing arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, numeral l() ii (l represents an annular object, for instance a spindle of a micrometer caliper, adapted to be clamped. In Fig. 1 there is shown a frame 11 having two upright bearing extensions 12 and 13, separated by a recessed portion 14:.

The extension 12 possesses a threaded aperture, the threads 15 of Which register with the threads of a barrel member 16. The threaded end of the barrel member protrudes into the recess 14C, and is adapted to be engaged by an annular closing member 17, having a threaded portion 18 and an internally cone shaped aperture 19.

Secured by lug 2O in a slot 21 provided in frame upright 13 against rotary motion, is a cone shaped member 22, as shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6.

The friction member is divided into a plurality of sections by substantially longitudinal incisions 23 and 24. Flach of these incisions is open at. one face or end of said friction member, While it is closed at the oppositely disposed end thereof.

These incisions are disposed alternately, so that one incision is open at one end and the next incision at the other face of the friction member. In this manner, a very flexible unitary article is produced which vvill, When circumferentially compressed, uniformly reduce v the distance or spaces betvveen the sections Will be uniformly reduced.

The bevel of the cone of the friction menty ber corresponds with the internal bevel 19 of the closing member 17. Friction member 22 is adapted `to engage With its entireinner annular surface, the spindle 10. Thus a complete frictional engagement takes place when member 17 is moved in the direction toward the frame extension 13. In other Words, 'ts inner bevel moves against the bevel of the friction member 22. Vihen moving in opposite direction, that is when the tivo members-so to speak-move from each other by reversing the turning motion of closing member 17 ,l friction member 22 releases spindle 10.

Barrel member 16 shows at 25 a bearing for spindle 10, While in the frame extension 13 there is provided another bearing indicated at 26.

Adjacent thereto is an annular recess 27 provided in fraine member an internal annular groove indicated at 23. Adapted te register with the recessed portion 27 is a closing` member or cap 29, comprising an annular ring-shaped portion 30, provided .vith an aperture 31 for receiving and facilitating the free passage therethrou h of spindle 10.

Fnriding from ring member 39 is a substantially eylindrically shaped portion 32, provided with an annuiar bead 33 at its outer circumference. This bead is adapted its circumferenceis 13, having to engage groove 28, when the cap is inserted into recess 27.

As may be seen in Fig. 1, the space be-v tween the ring-shaped portion of the cap,

Vthe spindle 19 and the bearing 26, is filled mit the thus-formed sections of the cylindrical portion to enter recess 27 of frame member 13 and to facilitate the locking of bead 33 in recess 23. 1t is evident that the cylindrical portion of the cap 29 is to be suiiiciently resilient to permit the sections produced by slots 35 to spring into their normal position once the cap has reached its proper place.

The packing material compressedand.

held in place by cap 29 prevents dust from entering bearing 26 of spindle 10. ln order to minimize the danger of dust entering the clamping device, an annular ring indicated at 33 and passing from bearing member 13 over extension 37 of closing member 17, is

` provided, thus closing the free space 33 between the bearing member 13 and closing member 17. y i j Similar inconstruction and operation to the design shown in Fig. 1 are the construc-y tions disclosed in Figs. 2, 3, and l, with the differencey that closing members 17, 17, and 117 engage with their threaded extensions 13,.13, and 118, the corresponding threaded portions 39, 39', and 39 of the friction members 19', 19, and 119.

. ln all of these modilied Vdesigns there are provided two lugs 20 and d() held in corresponding recesses within frame extensions 12 and 13 (Figs. 2 and 3) and 112 and irs (Fig. a).

Friction members 197 19. and 119i` are slotted in a similar manner as are the friction members shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the incisions not only being provided through the conical surface, but extending also into the threaded portion of the friction niembers. f

ln order to facilitete` the turning. of the closing` members, the outer annular4 entension thereof is provided with a lrnurled or other convenient gripping means, as indi cated atal. in Figs. 2,3, and 1, the dustprooiing member for the outer bearing is omitted for simplicitys sake. Be it underH stood, however, that such dust-prooiingai rangement may e readily provided as is shown in Fig. 1.

`While I have shown only a few modified forms of my device, it will be readily seen that various modifications and improvements may be made in the course of manufacture, and I therefore reserve for myself the right to make such improvements and changes which may become necessary.

I also Wish it to be understood that While I have shown constructions similar to that found in micrometer calipers, my device may be applicable not only in the line of measuring instruments, but in any other connection where positive frictional locking engagement for preventing motion is required.

IIaving thus described my invention, I claim:-

l. In an annular locking device comprising internal and external conically interengaged members adapted to move in longitudinal direction toward or from each other `for uniformly, frictionally engaging or releasing, respectively, an article; a dustproofing device comprising a generally cupshaped unit for receiving a packing element and composed of rigid and compressible por tions, the latter provided With locking means adapted to keep such device in desired relation relative to such article.

2. In a frictional locking device, comprising internal and externa-l conically interengaged members, adapted to move in longitudinal direction toward or from each other, said internal member adapted to be uniformly compressible over its entire length by said external member;..a dust-proofing device comprising a generally cupshaped unit having rigid and compressible parts, means provided at the latter for keeping it in proper relation relative to said locking device.

3. In a frictional locking device comprising an internal friction'member adapted to uniformly expand or contract over its entire length and over its circumference, an eX- ternal member conically engaging said internal member and adapted to move in longitudinal direction relative to said member; a dust-proofing device comprising a generally cup-shapedmember for receiving a packing and composed of a rigid portion andin continuation thereof a portion provided With a plurality of slots, locking means associated With saidslotted portion adapted to keep said dust-proong device in desired relation to said frictional locking device.

a. In a frictional locking device, comprising an internal, uniformly eXpandible and uniformly contractable friction member adapted to frictionally engage or release an annular object, an actuating member in conical engagement With said frictional member and adapted to exert pressure or release said latter member While moving in longitudinal relation thereto, and means for preventing said friction member from turning,`

rality of incisions alternately open at one end and closed at the. other end, and means for preventing the rotation of said member; a generally cup-shaped dust-proofing member havin-g a knurled rigid portion and a cylindrical extension provided with a plurality of slots, a locking bead provided near the end of the slotted portion adapted to keep said dust-proofing member in desired relation to said frictional locking device.

6. In combination with a frictional locking device for cylindrical objects, a dustproofing arrangement comprising a generally cup-shaped member for receiving a packing element, the latter adaptedr to bear against said object, said cup-shaped member composed of a `rigid annular portion and a compressible slotted portion, locking means associated with the latter and adapted to keep said cup-shaped member in desired relation With said cylindrical object.

7. In combination with a frictional locking device for a cylindrical object having a frame member adapted to rotatably lodge said object, a dust-proofing arrangement adapted to be associated with. said frame member, and comprising a packing disposed around said objecta cap, having any aperture for permitting said object to pass therethrough,`adapted to receive and press said packing against said object, a peripheral bead integral With said cap and adapted to interlock With said frame member While pressingly engaging said packing.

8. A dust-proofing arrangement in combination With frictional locking devices for spindles, having a frame, comprising a spindle bearing forming part of the frame, an annular enlargement Within the frame adjacent to said bearing, an annular groove provided'within said enlargement, a packing adapted to surround a spindle and to lill the space Within the enlargement, a gap` adapted to keep said packing in place and comprising an annular ring-shaped portion,

ra cylindrical portion, an annular bead provided upon the latters outer surface, and adapted to engage said annular groove, a plurality ofy incisions provided in said cylindrical portion for facilitating the engagetending in the direction from the latters edge toward said ring portion, an annular 10 bead provided upon the outer surface of said cylindrical portion, and sectioned by sind slots. i

Signed. at New York, in the County of New York and State of New York, this Sist 1.5

day of August, A. D. 1921.

LOUIS C. CRESCIO. 

